Middle Eastern football associations, led by the West Asian Football Federation, are urging FIFA to suspend Israel from international competitions due to the conflict in Gaza. They argue for the need to protect human rights and condemn violence affecting civilians in football. Israel, a UEFA member, insists on keeping politics out of sports as it seeks to qualify for the 2024 European Championships.
In a notable appeal, several Middle Eastern football associations have called for Israel’s suspension from international competitions due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Led by Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, the West Asian Football Federation—comprising nations such as Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE—has reached out to 211 football associations and international bodies, including FIFA and UEFA, to back their position.
In their letter, shared with Sky News, Prince Ali argued for a united front against the violence in Gaza, citing the killings of civilians, including those involved in football. The correspondence urges FIFA and related organizations to take action to temporarily isolate the Israeli Football Association until the violence abates and human rights are honored.
Israel, which is a member of UEFA, has requested FIFA to disregard this appeal as its national team strives for qualification in the upcoming European Championships. The Israeli Football Association emphasizes the need to separate political issues from sports, focusing solely on athletic performance and aspiring for global peace.
Israeli FA CEO Niv Goldstein reaffirmed their position, stressing that politics should not intermingle with football. Israel aims for success in the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifications, with a critical playoff match against Iceland approaching in March, where the winners will continue their quest for a spot in the tournament.
This situation finds echoes in FIFA’s past actions, having previously banned Russia from competition post its invasion of Ukraine. Goldstein believes that Israel’s situation is distinct from other international conflicts. Historically, prior to joining UEFA in 1994, Israel had been part of the Asian Football Confederation since 1954 but faced boycotts, leading to its exclusion from AFC events in 1974.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
